Negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint

ABSTRACT

A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprint identifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorized reproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifier after receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiable instruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to the customer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, the identifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality of negotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of the negotiable instruments when needed.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/615,625, filed Feb. 6, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/289,840, filed Nov. 4, 2011, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to security features on financialdocuments and more particularly to negotiable instruments with uniquemicroprint identifiers.

BACKGROUND

Negotiable instruments including checks are frequently used byorganizations and individuals in financial transactions. Varioussecurity features have been incorporated into negotiable instruments foranti-counterfeiting purposes. Because financial fraud employingcounterfeiting of documents remains an issue, there is a need tointroduce enhanced security features for preventing unauthorizedreproduction and alternation of printed negotiable instruments.

SUMMARY

A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprintidentifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorizedreproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifierafter receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiableinstruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to thecustomer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, theidentifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of thenegotiable instruments when needed.

In one embodiment, a system for printing documents includes a printingdevice, suitable for printing negotiable instruments includingmicroprint images. The printing device includes a data interface, anidentifier generator, an image generator, and a printing module. Thedata interface receives data associated with a customer order forprinting a plurality of negotiable instruments. The identifier generatorgenerates unique identifiers for the plurality of negotiable instrumentsusing the data associated with the customer order. The uniqueidentifiers are each unique for a set of negotiable instruments of theplurality of negotiable instruments. The image generator generates animage for each negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiableinstruments. The image includes an intelligent microprint identifierincluding one of the unique identifiers to be printed at a microprintlevel. The printing module prints the plurality of negotiableinstruments.

In one embodiment, a method for printing documents is provided.Information associated with a customer order for printing a plurality ofnegotiable instruments is received. Unique identifiers are generated forthe plurality of negotiable instruments using the information associatedwith the customer order. The unique identifiers are each unique for aset of negotiable instruments of the plurality of negotiableinstruments. An image is generated for each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments. The image includes an intelligentmicroprint identifier including one of the unique identifiers to beprinted at a microprint level. Each negotiable instrument is printedusing the image.

In one embodiment, a plurality of negotiable instruments printed inresponse to an order placed by a customer includes a microprint imageprinted on each negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiableinstruments. The microprint image includes a unique identifier generatedat a time of printing the plurality of negotiable instruments for eachsheet of a plurality of sheets of negotiable instruments to be printed.Each sheet includes one or more negotiable instruments of the pluralityof negotiable instruments.

This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the presentapplication and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatmentof the present subject matter. Further details about the present subjectmatter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forprinting negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint in responseto a customer order.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printingdevice for printing the negotiable instruments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of theprinting device for printing the negotiable instruments.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forprinting negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint identifiers.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of generating a uniqueidentifier using various types of information.

FIG. 6A is an image of a portion of a check illustrating an embodimentof an intelligent microprint identifier.

FIG. 6B is an image showing an enlarged portion of the intelligentmicroprint identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to subject matter in theaccompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specificaspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter.References to “an”, “one”, or “various” embodiments in this disclosureare not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such referencescontemplate more than one embodiment. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legalequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

This document discusses a method and apparatus for producing negotiableinstruments such as checks with intelligent microprint as ananti-counterfeiting security feature. Microprint has been employed inchecks, for example, as a line of small text that is difficult to readwith naked eye, and is reproduced as a solid or dotted line by mostphotocopiers or scanners. For example, some personal checks each includea microprint of text as the signature line and an “MP” mark indicatingthis feature to potential users. To introduce additional security todocuments ordered by a customer, the present method and apparatus createa unique identifier to be printed at a microprint level on eachdocument, each document sheet, or each subset of the documents afterreceiving the order to include information specific to the order. In oneembodiment, the unique identifier is created at the time of printing toinclude information specific to the printing process. When compared witha fixed image for all the documents, such unique identifier as an“intelligent microprint identifier” increases the difficulty ofreproducing the documents such as by using printing press. Additionally,the unique identifier provides specific and unique information allowingfor authentication, such as the date and/or time of printing and/ororder reception. Such specific and unique information is not availablefrom predetermined fixed images.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 100 forprinting negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint in responseto a customer order. System 100 includes an order entry system 102, anorder processing system 104, and a printing device 110. In variousembodiments, the negotiable instruments include checks, such ascashier's checks or personal checks.

Order entry system 102 receives orders for financial documents. Suchorders include an order placed by a customer for printing a plurality ofnegotiable instruments, which is referred to as “the customer order” andused as an example for discussion of the present subject matter in thisdocument. Order processing system 104 processes the customer order andsends data associated with the customer order to printing device 110 forprinting the plurality of negotiable instruments. In the illustratedembodiment, order processing system 104 includes a central storagedevice 106 to store information associated with the received orders,including security information associated with the customer order. Thesecurity information allows for future authentication of each negotiableinstrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments specified by thecustomer order. Printing device 110 is suitable for printing negotiableinstruments that include microprint images.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printingdevice 210 for printing the negotiable instruments. Printing device 210represents an embodiment of printing device 110 and includes a datainterface 212, an identifier generator 220, an image generator 230, anda printing module 240. Data interface 212 communicates with orderprocessing system 104 to receive data associated with the customer orderfor printing the plurality of negotiable instruments. Identifiergenerator 220 generates unique identifiers for the plurality ofnegotiable instruments using identification information associated withthe customer order. The unique identifiers are each unique for a set ofnegotiable instruments of the plurality of negotiable instruments. Invarious embodiments, the set of negotiable instruments include onenegotiable instrument, a sheet of several negotiable instruments,several sheets each including one or more negotiable instruments, or anysubset of the plurality of negotiable instruments. The identificationinformation is associated with the customer order, including the dataassociated with the customer order. Image generator 220 generates animage for each negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiableinstruments. The image includes an intelligent microprint identifierincluding one of the unique identifiers to be printed at a microprintlevel. Printing module 240 prints the plurality of negotiableinstruments. In various embodiments, printing module 240 uses inkj et,laser etching, or any other technology suitable for producing printednegotiable instruments that include microprint images.

In various embodiments, printing device 210 includes a printer that iscustomized to perform the various functions discussed in this document.In one embodiment, printing device 210 includes a digital printer thatis programmable for performing the functions of identifier generator 220and image generator 230, including their various embodiments asdiscussed in this document.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printingdevice 310 for printing the negotiable instruments. Printing device 310represents an embodiment of printing device 210 and includes datainterface 212, a clock 314, a user interface 316, a printer storagedevice 318, an identifier generator 320, an image generator 330, andprinting module 240.

Clock 314 tracks date and time to allow for recording of date(s) and/ortime(s) of the printing task performed by printing device 310 inresponse to the customer order. User interface 316 receives one or moreuser instructions including instructions specific to the customer order.In various embodiments, an operator of printing device 310 enters theone or more user instructions, such as commands and/or informationassociated with printing of the plurality of negotiable instruments thatis not automatically generated by system 100. Printer storage device 318stores information related to the customer order. In variousembodiments, the information includes the received data associated withthe customer order and the one or more user instructions.

Identifier generator 320 represents an embodiment of identifiergenerator 220 and generates the unique identifiers for the plurality ofnegotiable instruments using the identification information associatedwith the customer order. The unique identifiers are each unique for aset of negotiable instruments of the plurality of negotiableinstruments. Identifier generator 320 includes an information input 322to receive the identification information from data interface 212, clock314, user interface 316, and/or storage device 318. In variousembodiments, printer storage device 318 stores data representing theunique identifiers generated by identifier generator 320 as part of theinformation associated with the customer order. In various embodiments,printing device 310 transmits the data representing the uniqueidentifiers to order processing system 104 via data interface 212.Central storage device 106 stores the data representing the uniqueidentifiers as part of the security information associated with thecustomer order.

In one embodiment, the set of negotiable instruments includes onenegotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments. Inother words, identifier generator 320 generates a unique identifier foreach negotiable instrument the plurality of negotiable instrumentsspecified in the customer order. In another embodiment, the set ofnegotiable instruments includes multiple negotiable instruments arrangedon one sheet. In other words, identifier generator 320 generates aunique identifier for each sheet of a plurality of sheets to be printed,and each sheet includes one or more negotiable instruments of theplurality of negotiable instruments specified in the customer order. Forexample, each sheet may include about 1 to 15 checks to be printedaccording to the customer order.

In various embodiments, the unique identifiers each include informationallowing for authentication of each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments. A unique identifier is printed oneach negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments.In one embodiment, the unique identifiers each include a unique code.The unique code including, for example, production information specificto the printing of the plurality of negotiable instruments, orderinformation identifying the customer order, and account informationidentifying the account associated with each negotiable instrument ofthe plurality of negotiable instruments. The production informationbecomes available at the time of printing. The order information isgenerated by order processing system 104 after the customer order isreceived. The account information may also be printed legibly on each ofthe negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments.Such information and the unique code are further discussed below withreference to FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the unique code includes atleast the order information, and identifier generator 320 generates theunique identifiers after receiving the data associated with the customerorder. In one embodiment, the unique code includes at least theproduction information, and identifier generator 320 generates theunique identifiers at the time of the printing.

Image generator 330 generates an image for each negotiable instrument ofthe plurality of negotiable instruments. The image includes anintelligent microprint identifier including one of the uniqueidentifiers to be printed at a microprint level by the printing module240. An “intelligent microprint identifier” refers to a documentidentifier that is printed on a document at a microprint level andincludes one of the unique identifiers as discussed in this document.The intelligent microprint identifier is suitable for preventingreproduction and alteration using most commercially availablephotocopiers and scanners. In one embodiment, the intelligent microprintidentifier includes a line of text representing the unique code. Theline of text when reproduced using most commercially availablephotocopiers or scanners appears as a solid or dotted line. In variousembodiments, the line of text is printed as a line on a check, such as adate line, a payee (“pay to the order of”) line, an amount line, a memoline on a check, or a signature line. In one embodiment, the image foreach negotiable instrument includes a predetermined microprint image inaddition to the intelligent microprint identifier.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method 400 forprinting negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint identifiers.In one embodiment, the method is performed using system 100, withprinting device 110 including its various embodiments as discussed inthis document. In one embodiment, a commercial digital printing systemis programmed to perform method 400. One example of such a digitalprinting system includes a Kodak Digimaster Digital Production Platform,with custom software developed to print checks with intelligentmicroprint identifiers as discussed in this document.

At 410, information associated with the customer order is received. Invarious embodiments, the information may include user instructions andstored information. The user instructions include instructions specificto the customer order entered by the operator executing the customerorder. The stored information is related to the customer order, such asstored account information associated with the customer order.

At 420, unique identifiers are generated for the plurality of negotiableinstruments specified in the customer order using identificationinformation associated with the customer order. The unique identifiersare each unique for a set of negotiable instruments of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments. In one embodiment, the identificationinformation includes information extracted from the received informationassociated with the customer order. In one embodiment, theidentification information includes information that is generated at thetime of printing and specific to the printing as execution of thecustomer order. In various embodiments, the set of negotiableinstruments includes one or more negotiable instruments being a subsetof the plurality of negotiable instruments. In one embodiment, the setof negotiable instruments includes negotiable instruments arranged onone sheet to be printed. A unique identifier is generated for each sheetof a plurality of sheets to be printed, with each sheet including one ormore negotiable instruments of the plurality of negotiable instrumentsspecified in the customer order. In various embodiments, the uniqueidentifier is to be printed on each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments, and includes information allowingfor authentication of the negotiable instrument on which it is printed.In one embodiment, the unique identifier includes a unique code. Invarious embodiments, the unique code includes, for example, informationselected from the production information, the order information, and/orthe account information as discussed above production informationspecific to the printing of the plurality of negotiable instruments,order information identifying the order placed by the customer, andaccount information identifying the account associated with eachnegotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments, asfurther discussed below with reference to FIG. 5. In one embodiment, theunique identifier is generated after receiving the informationassociated with the customer order to include at least the orderinformation. In one embodiment, the unique identifier is generated atthe time of the printing to include the production information.

At 430, an image is generated for each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments. The image includes an intelligentmicroprint identifier including one of the unique identifier to beprinted at a microprint level. In one embodiment, the intelligentmicroprint identifier includes a line of text representing the uniquecode. The line of text is difficult to read with the naked eyes andappears as a solid or dotted line when being reproduced using acommercially available photocopier or scanner. In various embodiments inwhich the negotiable instruments include checks such as cashier's checksor personal checks, the line of text is printed on each of the checks asa date line, a payee (“pay to the order of”) line, an amount line, amemo line, and a signature line. In one embodiment, the image for eachnegotiable instrument includes a predetermined fixed microprint image inaddition to the intelligent microprint identifier.

At 440, the plurality of negotiable instruments is printed using theimages each generated for one negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments. In various embodiments, the plurality ofnegotiable instruments is printed using inkjet, laser etching, or anyother technology suitable for producing negotiable instruments withmicroprint images as discussed in this document.

In various embodiments, in addition to printing the negotiableinstruments by executing the customer order, security informationassociated with the customer order is stored to allow for futureauthentication of each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments specified by the customer order. The securityinformation includes data representing the unique identifiers eachgenerated for, and printed as the intelligent microprint image, for onenegotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of identifier generationperformed by identifier generator 220 or 320. In the illustratedembodiment, the unique identifier as discussed above is generated usingthe production information, order information, account information, andother information. In various embodiments, the unique identifier asdiscussed above is generated using any one or more of the productioninformation, order information, account information, or otherinformation. In one embodiment, the unique identifier is generated as aunique code generated as a function of the production information, orderinformation, account information, and/or other information.

In various embodiments, the production information is specific to theprinting of the plurality of negotiable instruments and includes, but isnot limited to time of printing, date of printing, place of printing,batch number, printer identification, operator identification, productgroup, and position of order. Such product information becomes availableat the time of printing. The order information identifies the orderplaced by the customer and includes, but is not limited to date of theorder, volume specified in the order, and information of the customerplacing the order. Such order information is available after thecustomer order is received. The account information identifies theaccount associated with the plurality of negotiable instruments andincludes, but not limited to account number, information identifying thecustomer and/or account owner (if different), financial institutioninformation, check number, and other information associated with thecustomer and/or account owner such as zip code. In various embodiments,the account information is also printed legibly on each negotiableinstrument of the plurality of negotiable instruments. The otherinformation includes any information that allows for futureauthentication of each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable documents. Such information may include information enteredmanually by the operator executing the customer order and/or randomlygenerated information.

FIG. 6A is an image of a portion of a check illustrating an embodimentan intelligent microprint identifier. The check is illustrated as anexample of a negotiable instrument with an intelligent microprintidentifier 650. Intelligent microprint identifier 650, as presented byway of example, but not by way of limitation, is the date line of thecheck (printed next to a “plain” date line for comparison asillustrated). FIG. 6B is an image showing an enlarged portion ofintelligent microprint identifier 650, with a further magnified portionincluding a code segment that reads “1304EX150FL”. The check asillustrated in FIGS. 6A-B was printed using a Kodak Digimaster EX150Digital Production System with M1 MICR toner and custom softwaredeveloped for printing the intelligent microprint identifier.

It is understood that other combinations and configurations may beemployed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of thepresent subject matter. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Thescope of the present subject matter should be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device configured to be operated by an operatorfor printing a plurality of negotiable instruments according to acustomer order, the device comprising: a user interface configured toreceive identification information relating to the customer order fromthe operator, the identification information including informationspecific to printing of the plurality of negotiable instruments asexecution of the customer order; an image generator configured togenerate images each to be printed at a microprint level on eachnegotiable instrument of at least a subset of multiple negotiableinstruments of the plurality of negotiable instruments, the images eachincluding an intelligent microprint identifier generated using at leastthe identification information received from the operator; and aprinting module configured to print the plurality of negotiableinstruments, each negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiableinstruments including an image of the generated images.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the identifier generator is configured to generate aunique code for the intelligent microprint identifier, and the imagegenerator is configured to generate the intelligent microprintidentifier including a line of text representing the unique code.
 3. Adevice configured to be operated by an operator for printing a pluralityof negotiable instruments according to a customer order, the devicecomprising: a user interface configured to receive identificationinformation relating to the customer order from the operator, theidentification information associated with printing the plurality ofnegotiable instruments; an image generator configured to generate animage to be printed at a microprint level on each negotiable instrumentof the plurality of negotiable instruments, the image including anintelligent microprint identifier including an identifier of multipleunique identifiers generated using at least the identificationinformation received from the operator; an identifier generatorconfigured to generate the multiple unique identifiers each for one ofsubsets of the plurality of negotiable instruments, the subsets eachincluding multiple negotiable instruments of the plurality of negotiableinstruments; and a printing module configured to print the eachnegotiable instrument including the generated image.
 4. The device ofclaim 3, comprising an identifier generator configured to generate aunique code for each unique identifier of the one or more uniqueidentifiers, and the image generator is configured to generate theintelligent microprint identifier including a line of text representingthe unique code.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the image generatoris configured to generate the image including the intelligent microprintidentifier and a predetermined microprint image.
 6. The device of claim4, wherein the identifier generator is configured to generate the one ormore unique identifiers using production information that becomesavailable at the time of printing the plurality of negotiableinstruments.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the identifier generatoris configured to generate the unique code using a place of printing. 8.The device of claim 6, wherein the identifier generator is configured togenerate the unique code including an operator identification.
 9. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the unique code comprises informationrandomly generated for future authentication of each negotiableinstrument of the plurality of negotiable documents.
 10. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the printing module is configured to print theplurality of negotiable instruments using inkjet technology.
 11. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the printing module is configured to printthe plurality of negotiable instruments using laser etching technology.12. A method for providing a plurality of negotiable instruments with ananti-counterfeiting feature, comprising: receiving a customer order forprinting a plurality of negotiable instruments; dividing the pluralityof negotiable instruments into subsets for the printing, the subsetseach including multiple negotiable instruments of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments; receiving identification information relating tothe customer order from an operator of a printer using a user interfaceof the printer, the identification information associated with printingthe plurality of negotiable instruments; generating unique identifiers ceach for one of the subsets of the plurality of negotiable instrumentsusing the received identification information; generating an image to beprinted at a microprint level for each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments, the image including an intelligentmicroprint identifier including one of the generated unique identifiers;and printing the plurality of negotiable instruments using the printerbased on the generated Images.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereingenerating the unique identifiers comprises generating unique codes atthe time of printing the plurality of negotiable instruments usingproduct information available at the time of printing the plurality ofnegotiable instruments.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein generatingthe image for each negotiable instrument of the plurality of negotiableinstruments comprises generating an intelligent microprint identifierincluding one of the unique identifiers to be printed at the microprintlevel, the intelligent microprint identifier including a line of textrepresenting the unique code.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein theplurality of negotiable instruments comprises a plurality of checks, andgenerating the image for each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments comprises generating the image with the line oftext representing the unique code to be printed as a line on each checkof the plurality of checks.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereingenerating the image for each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments comprises generating the image with the line oftext representing the unique code to be printed as a date line on eachcheck of the plurality of checks.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereingenerating the image for each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments comprises generating the image with the line oftext representing the unique code to be printed as a payee line on eachcheck of the plurality of checks.
 18. The method of claim 15, whereingenerating the image for each negotiable instrument of the plurality ofnegotiable instruments comprises generating the image with the line oftext representing the unique code to be printed as an amount line oneach check of the plurality of checks.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein generating the image for each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments comprises generating the image withthe line of text representing the unique code to be printed as a memoline on each check of the plurality of checks.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein generating the image for each negotiable instrument of theplurality of negotiable instruments comprises generating the image withthe line of text representing the unique code to be printed as asignature line on each check of the plurality of checks.